The origins of the RAFALE can be traced to joint discussions between European nations taking place in the early eighties. But in the wake of the tri-national Tornado program which had put the most emphasis on air-to-surface functions, it soon appeared that the prime requirement of participating nations other than France was predominantly on the air-to-air side.
The French Forces wanted a balanced multi-role aircraft that would be able to replace 7 types of aircraft around 2000-2010 :
- Jaguar (air-to-ground attack),
- Super-Etendard (carrier-based air-to-ground attack),
- Crusader (carrier-based air cover of the naval group),
- Mirage F1 (multi-role),
- Mirage 2000 C (air defence),
- Mirage 2000 N and D (precision strike/interdiction with conventional and nuclear weapons),
- Mirage 4 (nuclear strike and recce),
Two of the types to be replaced had to be carrier-based with all the resulting implications in terms of force projection capability: fast-deployed, self-supporting and lethal with limited size.
This was the rational that eventually led to the decision by the French industry and Government to go it alone on RAFALE and provide it with distinctive features tuned to world-wide - opposed to strictly West European - market expectations.
Smart and discrete sensors
The first and most important sensor of RAFALE is obviously its new generation Thales RBE2 radar.
However, in those circumstances when absolute discretion is the most relevant factor, RAFALE can rely on several other sensor systems :
- The front-sector optronics (OSF), developed by Thales, is completely integrated within the aircraft and can operate both in the visible and infrared wavelengths.
- The SPECTRA electronic warfare system, jointly developed by Thales and MBDA, provides the aircraft with the highest survivability assets against airborne and ground threats.
- The real-time data link allowing communication not only with other aircraft, but also with fixed and mobile command and control centres.
- For those missions requesting the use of it, RAFALE can also rely on the Damocles optronic/laser designation pod.
Computing power
The mere addition of these sensors has no exceptional significance, as it has already been implemented on several combat aircraft. What makes the essential difference with RAFALE is the cross fertilization process between all those sensors, the continuous fusion of the data they provide, their analysis and their synthesis allowing to transform the pilot into a true tactical decider, instead of a simple systems operator. It is the essence of the multisensor data fusion concept implemented aboard RAFALE.
The core of the enhanced capabilities of the RAFALE lies in a new Modular Data Processing Unit (MDPU). It is composed of up to 18 flight line-replaceable modules, each with a processing power 50 times higher than that of the 2084 XRI type computer fitted on the early versions of Mirage 2000-5.
The MDPU, which is composed of commercial-off-the-shelf elements, is the cornerstone of the avionics/weapon upgradeability of the RAFALE. Thanks to its modular architecture, the system is highly adaptable, and new avionics and new ordnance now under development can be easily integrated. Enough growth potential has been built into the RAFALE to ensure that the design has warfighting relevance beyond 2030.
Sensor data fusion provides a link between the global battlespace surrounding the aircraft and the pilot's brain with its unique ability to grasp the outcome of tactical situations and make sensible decisions. It hinges on the computing power of the MDPU to process data from the RBE2 ESA radar, the front sector optronic system, the SPECTRA EW system, the IFF and the data-link (L16 or custom).
Advanced weapons
The RAFALE's mission system has the potential to support all current and planned armaments, namely:
The Mica air-to-air missile, in its MICA IR (heat-seeking ) and EM (active radar homing) versions,
- The upcoming AASM range of modular air-to-ground weapons,
- The Scalp/Storm Shadow long-range stand-off missile,
- The upcoming Meteor long-range air-to-air missile,
- Anti-ship missiles (Exocet),
- Laser-guided bombs,
- Conventional air-to-ground ordnance,
- Customer-selected weapons.
The RAFALE's stores management system is Mil-Std-1760 compliant, which allows for the integration of customer-selected weapons.
With an empty weight of about 10 tons, the RAFALE is fitted with 14 hard points (13 on the RAFALE M). Five of them are capable of drop tanks and heavy ordnance. Total external load capacity is over 9 tons ( 20,000 lbs.).
Buddy refuelling missions can be carried out into portions of the airspace out of reach of dedicated tanker aircraft.
All versions of RAFALE are fitted with the Giat Industries Defa 791 30-mm cannon, capable of firing 2,500 rounds per minute.
With its high carrying capability and its powerful mission system, RAFALE can combine ground attack and air-to-air combat missions during the same sortie. It is also capable of performing multiple functions at the same time such as beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air firing during the very-low-altitude penetration phase. This gives RAFALE impressively broad multi-role capabilities, along with a high degree of survivability.
Low operating costs
Mission-ready with low operating costs
RAFALE supportability and mission readiness capitalise on the undisputed track record of the current generation of French fighters such as the combat-proven Mirage 2000.
From the early beginning of the development phase, French MOD assigned very stringent Integrated Logistic Support requirements on RAFALE programme, well exceeding the prowess of Mirage 2000. Through concurrent engineering and Computer Aided Design (CAD) techniques, the best technological choices were made in order to favour reliability, accessibility and maintainability.
These extensive ILS studies, together with bold technological choices, led to supportability features exceeding the preliminary requirements:
- Strengthened by more than 20 years experience of integrated testability through Mirage and Atlantic programme, RAFALE features a comprehensive and accurate Integrated Testability covering all aircraft systems and allowing Printed Circuit Boards exchange at flight line: Testability targets call for a 95 percent fault detection, plus the ability to detect all safety-critical failures,
- Ergonomic (CAD) studies were conducted in order to check for main components accessibility within aircraft bays, ensuring that all flight line operations would be swift and error free, yielding very short repair times,
- A unique (automatic) centralised weaponry safety system gets rid of all safety pins and end-of-runway actions, and contributes to achieve outstanding Turn Around Time in operation,
- Advanced manufacturing techniques together with CAD uses eliminate long conventional boresighting operations after gun, HUD or radar exchange.
All these maintainability aspects have been thoroughly assessed and validated by French Navy and French Air force users. RAFALE is already well in service and enjoys from day one a very high availability and sortie rate (close to 300 FH/year/aircraft) in the confined and stringent aircraft carrier environment.
For self-supportability, the RAFALE is designed to require the minimum of ground support equipment: it is equipped with an on-board oxygen generation system, and with a closed-loop cooling fluid system for on-board coolanol and nitrogen circuits. The built-in Auxiliary Power Unit provides electrical power until the engine-driven generators come on line. During exercise "Trident d'Or", French Naval Aviators validated the RAFALE hot refuelling procedure.
Affordable high-tech fighter
A reliable and easily maintainable fighter invariably translates into considerably lower maintenance costs:
- There is no complete airframe or engine depot level inspection required throughout the aircraft service life, and only specific components such as Shop Replaceable Units (SRUs) are returned for maintenance/repair. The same philosophy applies to the M88 turbofan composed of 21 modules, interchangeable without needing full balancing and re-calibration. For maintenance and repair, only modules or parts are returned to the depot/manufacturer.
- The decision to eliminate the complex systems from the early design phase (a fixed refuelling probe, but removable, fixed air intake, no airbrake, no constant speed drive due to variable frequency,...) ensures spare, maintenance man hours and support equipment reduction. Also, the full interchangeability between elements due to the mastering of manufacturing techniques (no need of fitting during element installation, no boresighting) along with standardisation approach during design (reduced number of screw types, interchangeability between left-hand and right-had foreplanes, servo-actuators, standardisation of electronic modules,...) induce a reduction in spares inventory. Similarly, changing, at flight-line level, printed circuit boards within a LRU instead of replacing the LRU itself lessens the need for complete spare units (radar, SPECTRA, modular computers).
- The fighter needs reduced ground manning levels (30 percent gain compared with the Mirage 2000), and lowered personnel training requirements. For instance, the side-opening canopy facilitates ejection-seat removal (ex: 10 min, 2 men for a seat exchange).
- Logistic footprint reduction results from the elimination of heavy external means required with conventional aircraft. For example, no flight-line external tester is now required due to the extensive use of integrated testability. Also the elimination of engine run-up test cell is a unique achievement.
- Experience of maritime design with Atlantic MPA and Super-Etendard carrier-based fighter benefit to the RAFALE advanced corrosion protection.
- Finally, maintenance monitoring concept results to a limited scheduled maintenance plan. Throughout its life, the aircraft will never leave its Operational Base for maintenance reasons.
Aircraft Characteristics
Dimensions :
Span............................................................10,80 m (35.4 ft)
Wing area....................................................45,70 m² (492 sq ft)
Length.........................................................15,27 m (33.8 ft)
Height..........................................................5,34 m (17,4 ft)
Weight :
Empty..........................................................10-ton class
Max.............................................................24,500 kg (54,000 lb)
Fuel (internal)..............................................4,700 kg (10,300 lb)
Fuel (external).............................................7,500 kg (16,500 lb)
Max external capability................................9,500 kg (20,950 lb)
External store stations :
Total................................................................14
Heavy stores & fuel "wet" stations.................5
Load factors......................................................+9g/-3.2g
Max speed..........................................................M 1.8+/750 kts
Approach speed................................................120 knots
Landing distance................................................450 m (1,475 ft)
Max climb rate....................................................Over 1,000 ft/sec
Operational ceiling..............................................55,000 ft
Radius of action (penetration mission)...............More than 1,000 nautical miles
Combat air patrol loiter time................................Over 3 hours Oleh:dassault-aviation.com
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar